Lakers top Spurs, win 7th in row

Kobe Bryant was fouled on this play by the Spurs' George Hill, but he scored 26 points to help the Lakers win the Western Conference showdown.

Bahram Mark Sobhani/Associated Press

Lakers 99, Spurs 83

SAN ANTONIO -- Kobe Bryant agreed it might have been the Lakers' best game so far.

It technically wasn't the worst for the San Antonio Spurs, though it often looked that way.

The Lakers may not catch the NBA's winningest team for the No. 1 seed in time for the playoffs, but they handed the Spurs a blunt reminder that the Western Conference is still theirs to surrender, beating San Antonio, 99-83, in a blowout Sunday.

Bryant, who had 26 points, didn't make much of it.

"I don't think it's that big of a message that we sent today," he said.

It was the seventh straight victory for the Lakers, who are playing as well as any point this season. Coach Phil Jackson concedes that San Antonio's 61/2 -game lead in the West may be too big to overcome with 18 games left. But the Lakers still made a few marks.

One is emphatically ending San Antonio's franchise-record home winning streak at 22 games. Another is beating the Spurs for the first time in three tries.

Tony Parker led the Spurs with 14 points. He was their only starter in double figures.

Bulls 87, Heat 86

MIAMI -- Former University of Memphis player Derrick Rose scored 27 points as Chicago handed Miami its fourth straight loss. The Bulls moved a game ahead of Miami into outright possession of second place in the Eastern Conference and beat the Heat for the third time this season. LeBron James scored 26 points for Miami.

Thunder 122, Suns 118 (OT)

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Russell Westbrook had 32 points and 11 assists, James Harden matched his career high with 26 points and Oklahoma City overcame an off night by NBA scoring leader Kevin Durant to beat Phoenix in overtime. Vince Carter led Phoenix with 29 points. Durant made a season-low three baskets on 14 attempts and scored 18 points, 11 of them on free throws.

Hornets 96, Cavaliers 81

CLEVELAND -- David West scored 23 points, and Chris Paul had 13 points and 11 assists in 26 minutes before leaving the game with an injury as New Orleans beat Cleveland. Baron Davis, making his home debut, scored 17 points for Cleveland.

ATLANTA -- Amare Stoudemire scored 26 points as New York easily beat Atlanta. Josh Smith scored 17 for Atlanta, which has lost two straight.

76ers 125, Warriors 117 (OT)

PHILADELPHIA -- Andre Iguodala had his second straight triple-double with 15 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists to help Philadelphia beat Golden State in overtime. Former Mitchell High player Thaddeus Young scored 20 points for the Sixers, who moved two games over .500 for the first time this season. Monta Ellis had 27 points for the Warriors.

Pistons 113, Wizards 102

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. -- Charlie Villanueva scored all 16 of his points in the second quarter, leading Detroit past Washington. John Wall had 24 points and seven assists for the Wizards.